Mitchell’s Lorikeet

(Trichoglossus forsteni mitchellii)

Project Status: Active | 2008 - current

Collaborators/Funders

Paradise Park UK, Blackpool Zoo, Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens

Lorikeet subspecies in danger of extinction

In recent decades the Mitchell's Lorikeet (Trichoglossus forsteni mitchellii) has suffered a steep decline in population due to the wild bird trade.

Progress and outcomes: In April 2008, the Friends of the National Park Foundation (FNPF) team released three Mitchell's Lorikeets on Nusa Penida, with support from WPT. Later, aid was provided for tracking the birds’ post-release activities.

Planning is currently underway to develop a captive breeding and release program to include birds found in Indonesia as well as internationally, particularly with Paradise Park UK.

Focus of future work: WPT's efforts for the species will include:

Monitoring and further surveying the populations on Bali and Lombok
Monitoring bird markets for new individuals
Establishing an in-situ and ex-situ captive breeding program
Releasing birds to re-establish the species in suitable habitat areas

With your help, we can complete these important tasks to better understand the species and continue to deliver effective solutions to further their conservation.

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IUCN/CITES Status: Endangered (as subspecies of Scarlet-breasted Lorikeet) / Appendix II

Wild population: <50

Where found: Nusa Penida and Lombok, formerly found on Bali.

History: Mitchell’s Lorikeet was historically found only on the islands of Lombok and Bali in Indonesia. It was thought to have disappeared from the island of Bali, due to capture for the international bird trade. A half dozen individuals were found in mid-2019 by WPT-Indonesia staff and in-country colleagues. Trade has left populations on Lombok at a very low level, possibly with only a few dozen individuals left.

Threats:

Capture for the wild bird trade
Persecution

Ecology: Mitchell’s Lorikeet is found on the islands of Bali and Lombok in mostly cultivated areas that have been nearly completely denuded of natural vegetation. Little is known of their ecology, but they probably feed mainly on nectar and are nomadic in response to the timing of flowering trees.